Chiswick Distillery Sipsmith To Expand Globally Following Sale

Beam Suntory take controlling stake in local designer gin company

Global drinks company Beam Suntory has announced that it has taken a “controlling stake” in Chiswick distiller Sipsmith, which it plans to launch onto the international market.

Some reports suggested that Suntory, which is the third largest spirits company in the world and owns Jim Beam, Teacher's and Courvoisier, might have paid as much as £50 million to buy out the designer gin company shareholders, including its founders.

The Cranbrook Road-based distillery, which was at the forefront of the renaissance of designer gin, confirmed that it has agreed a deal with Beam Suntory which will see them join forces to accelerate the global growth of Sipsmith.

The bulk of Sipsmith's sales are in the UK but the company will now harness the global distribution network of the international drinks company.

Sam Galsworthy, one of the co-founder of Sipsmith, called the deal a “momentous occasion” for the company which started seven years ago in Hammersmith and moved to Chiswick in 2014.

When it was founded in 2009, Sipsmith was the first copper distillery to have opened in London for nearly two hundred years. Since then it has grown considerably to become one of the UK’s leading craft distillers, and is known for its experimental and small batch gins.

“As leaders of the gin renaissance in the UK, we have worked tirelessly to share our gin of the highest quality with discerning sippers,” said Sam Galsworthy who founded Sipsmith with Fairfax Hall, and Jared Brown eight years ago. They will all remain in Chiswick to continue running the brand, along with the 35-strong workforce.

The craft brewing and distilling industry has enjoyed a huge revival in the past few years.

The distillery moved to the Chiswick premises from Hammersmith so that it could accommodate a third copper pot still 'Constance' - to sit alongside its existing stills 'Prudence' and 'Patience'.

The site where the distillery is based

The Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale said the sale was a sign that the UK gin industry was going places internationally.

Beam Suntory also owns the Spanish gin Larios and Gilbey’s London Dry Gin.

The company is one of four gin distilleries located within London's city limits. Sipsmith was launched by Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall, former employees of Fuller's and Diageo.

December 16, 2016